Bible in 90 Days ~ I'm Finished!

I finished up last night!  Woohoooooooooooooo!   Amy over at Mom's Toolbox has asked those of us who wrote about our journey to sum it all up for others to read about.

I decided to read this way, because I felt the Lord nudging me to do so.  I knew it would be a challenge, so I chose the winter as a time to do it, because I leave town the least!  Over all, it was a challenge in discipline.  With an assignment of 45 minutes to an hour a day, I knew catching up wouldn't be very easy! so I had to stay on top of it in order to not be discouraged.  I had to choose to have calm weekends, so I could catch up if need be.  I had to choose to get out of bed when I didn't want to.  I had to choose to keep my eyes open when I wanted to close them.  I chose to read the Word instead of any other books during this time.  I had to choose to read instead of write (which is why I have a few weekly gaps to fill in on my Bible in 90 page)!  But all of those were worthwhile sacrifices and God gave me the desire to make every one of them!

I have read the Bible through before once, but it was slow and disjointed.  This time was far more enjoyable.   This is the best way I know to describe it:  You know how people are all excited and close when they come back from a trip together?  They can tell you all of their stories, and you can laugh and look at their scrapbooks, but you are quite clearly missing major pieces of the puzzle.  So then the next time you go along and all of the inside jokes, struggles and successes make sense because you are there in the middle of the action this time.  Well, this time I was "in the middle of the action" instead of counting on others to "feed" me.  This time I got to read it, soak it in and let it change me, because I was there in person - engaged, committed and hungry.

Reading large portions at each sitting allowed me to see the verses in context which offered a much more appropriate application.  Reading it as a whole in such a short time period afforded me the opportunity to remember what I read in Genesis and Exodus so I could relate it to what I was reading in Revelation without having to look it up again.  Spending this much time in the Word gave me time with Him that I had been spending on otherwise worthless tasks, and I believe that's just a blessing to Him.  And the best part?  Reading it all in 90 days makes the celebration in Revelation all the more victorious as I've been "pulling" for His people all the way through!  He wins!  There is a triumphant end to this story we're living!!  I knew that when I started, but it's a lot more fun to read it this way. 

I have a list of things I want to research now that I'm finished.  I understand the big picture in a whole new way than I did 90 days ago, but a small growth in understanding has left me seeking answers for new questions that have arisen as others were answered.  I like this unsettled feeling though.  I think it's called hunger.  

I'm starting off with a word study on my word of the year: grace.  I really wish I knew Hebrew and Greek, but I'm going to have to stick with a word study for now.  As far as a daily plan, there was kind of a big hole today without a big chunk to read, so I'm going to have to jump back in with a plan!   I have learned I do much better on one than if I'm just reading randomly.  

If you've read along this time, I'd love to hear about your experience!  And if you haven't read the Bible in 90 days, I would certainly encourage you to do so.  Amy at Mom's Toolbox is starting another group July 11, 2011.  Don't just "read my stories and look at my scrapbook"... get in on the trip!  Let me know so I can be praying for you and encouraging you.  Maybe I'll just do it again with you.  :)

Click here to read all about my Bible in 90 Days Journey.
I read with over 1000 people this round! Go see what they have to say!